Education

Teaching activities of our Department

Our program in biology can introduce you to the many ways of understanding the function and diversity of living organisms. We offer biology and medical students a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses in such areas as genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, and immunology.

BIOLOGY STUDENTS

The Department actively participates in both the Bachelor (BSc) and Master (MSc) programs that conform to the new European Union directives.

Bachelor (BSc)

The Bachelor (BSc) in Biology is a comprehensive teaching program that provides students with basic essential knowledge of biology during the first two years. The third year allows students to follow more advanced courses that prepare them for a Masters in Biology. This is composed of a combination of common courses in structural and functional aspects of cell biology, molecular biology, ecology and population biology, molecular evolution, bioinformatics and genomics and behaviour. The final part of the third year allows students to specialize in particular areas of their choice. The Department of Biochemistry offers an an intensive 3 week course on Immunology and Cancer/Apotosis (including practicals).

Master (MSc) in Medical Biology

The Department of Biochemistry offers a Master (MSc) in Medical Biology with a speciality in cancer and immunology. The aims of the Master are to provide a comprehensive training in biology and human pathologies. This program is espacially suited for students interested in the interface between basic research and medical applications.

The Master is an 18 month program that is split into 3 parts. The first part (6 months) comprises obligatory courses and lab classes. The majority of the teaching is carried out by members of the Departments of Biochemistry, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Physiology and Cell Biology & Morphology. These departments specialize in immunology, cancer, metabolic and cardiovascular pathologies, and neusosciences. Courses are given in English and French. Students are also trained during this period to design a short independent research project.

For the second part of the Masters (6 months), students can choose to specialize in either -Immunology & cancer -Metabolic and cardiovascular pathologies -Neusosciences -Drug receptors

In all areas of specialization students will follow optional courses and also start an independent 1-year research project (Masters thesis) under the supervision of a faculty member. The Department of Biochemistry organizes and offers courses for the option immunology & cancer.

The third part (6 months) is entirely devoted to the completion of the research project. This ends with the writing and defence of the Master thesis.

Ph.D. program in cancer and immunology

This doctoral (Ph.D.) Program offers training and research opportunities to highly motivated graduate students in key areas of modern biology, at the Department of Biochemistry of the Lausanne University (DB-UNIL), the Ludwig Center for Cancer Research of the UNIL (LICR@UNIL) and the University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV).

Highly qualified students worldwide are selected twice a year through a competitive selection procedure. The PhD program currently accommodates approximately 80 PhD students, and our goal is to appoint 10-20 students per year. The broad international background of the personnel at the Center for Immunity and Infection Lausanne (CIIL) (around 26 different nationalities) provides not only a wide range of scientific experiences but also a unique cultural atmosphere. The working language is English.